I supply navigation laptops and tablets with nautical charts & GPS for marine navigation. They provide an excellent alternative to major brand solutions, and support a very cheap marine autopilot via PyPilot and TinyPilot. Sometimes, my clients wish to integrate marine autopilot on PC for one of my navigation laptops. Perhaps, even build their own to save money! I provide some info about this below. Do you have any questions about setting up OpenCPN autopilot or getting one of my navigation laptops? Please contact me!
OpenCPN autopilot via TinyPilot & PyPilot: cheap marine autopilot on PC
TinyPilot is an assembled and ready to use marine autopilot on PC. This OpenCPN autopilot works via the PyPilot plugin which I can pre-configure for you on any of my navigation laptops. It consists of the following components, ready assembled for you:
- Raspberry Pi Zero board with WiFi support.
- Three-Axis Gyroscope Accelerator Magnetometer Sensor Module.
- IR sensor. Can configure most IR remotes via a web browser.
- RF receiver and compatible wireless remote. Many 433 MHz remote controls supported.
- Black & white outdoor viewable display.
- TinyPilot Linux image installed and configured on a microSD card.
- 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inch enclosure.
- You can buy the above from Sean here.
Here’s a helpful video demo by the author which introduces the functionality and demonstrates the hardware:
I do not sell the Tiny Pilot marine autopilot computer, but it works perfectly with my navigation laptops! Order it from its designer Sean D’Epagnier for only $120 directly! This is an excellent option which does not require any NMEA adapters, since it can work via WiFi directly.
PyPilot plugin provides a cheap marine autopilot on PC via OpenCPN
Once you have the above (or build your own), you are able to use the PyPilot OpenCPN plugin to interact with the autopilot computer.
This guide will show you how to get started. If you order a navigation laptop from me, I can have that pre-installed for you.
Use an off the shelf autopilot system via NMEA 0183 or 2000
Make sure to have an appropriate NMEA adapter to interface it physically. Sending the route to autopilot is supported in OpenCPN which is installed standard on all my navigation laptops.
Any questions? Please contact me!
Why get a navigation laptop with cheap marine autopilot support from me for TinyPilot & PyPilot?
My navigation laptop or tablet systems can be much more affordable than Garmin, Lowrance, Simrad, B&G, Furuno, Humminbird, Raymarine, Si-Tex. I will also support my units forever! Furthermore, I believe that some of the commercial chart plotter brands gouge their customers. Large companies force their clients to upgrade by no longer supporting older units with chart and software updates. In addition, they charge outrageous fees for simple things like a larger screen size. I don’t do any of these things, and never will – guaranteed! In addition to these, please take a look at other advantages as well.